Latest news with #Macra
Agriland
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Agriland
Macra: Generational renewal must become 'key issue' for govt
Macra president, Josephine O'Neill has said that generational renewal must become a key issue for the government. At last year's Tullamore Show (2024), Macra welcomed the establishment of the commission on generational renewal. The young farmer's organisation said that the commission "brought hope" that the government was "finally" recognising the importance of the issue, and taking the initial steps towards supporting a future for them. According to Macra, the promised report from the commission has yet to be delivered. Ahead of Budget 2026, Macra said that "hopes are fading" that the report will have any meaningful impact. Since the establishment of the commission, Macra has actively engaged with government to ensure the young person's voice would be heard. O'Neill said: "In January 2025, we organised a series of well-attended public consultations to gather the views of our members and older farmers. We gave our members an opportunity to have their voices heard and used these views to underpin our submission to the commission. "Generational Renewal must become a key issue for our government, to ensure a future for our young farmers and for rural Ireland. Our government must now show that this was not just a political promise but a meaningful exercise," the Macra president added. Earlier this year (2025), Macra met with the commission, and welcomed the opportunity to highlight the key areas of the submission and stress the importance of succession to young farmers. Since then, Macra has been "anxiously waiting" for the release of the report and is extremely disappointed that it has yet to be delivered. Separately, last week (August 4) Macra called for "mandatory" farm succession plans for farmers over 63 and "transition payments" for farmers from 67-70 years-of-age. Responding to a query from Agriland on Macra's stance on support payments to farmers in receipt of a pension, Macra national president Josephine O'Neill outlined the rural youth organisation's position. She said: "We need to examine this in the context of creating opportunities to facilitate generational renewal and collaborative arrangements between younger and older farmers plus the reality of a reduced Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) budget."
Agriland
18 hours ago
- Business
- Agriland
Land Mobility Service appoints new service manager
The Land Mobility Service was delighted to be part of the Sustainable Livestock Village at this year's (2025) Tullamore Show, alongside its founders, Macra. It was established in 2014 as a joint initiative by Macra and FBD Trust, and has proven to be extremely successful in providing opportunities for both young farmers and established landowners. Along with the unveiling of the new branding, the service also announced its new service manager, Patrick Brady, who has worked with the service for several years and is also a farmer from Cavan. Chairperson of the Land Mobility Service, Elaine Houlihan said: "On behalf of the board of the Land Mobility Service, we wish Patrick the very best in his role and look forward to seeing him lead the service." The Land Mobility Service is a dedicated, proactive support service for farmers and farm families who are contemplating expansion, changing enterprise or stepping back. The confidential service allows people to explore their options and will help match landowners with farmers interested in long-term leases and collaborative arrangements, such as partnerships or share farming, whether within or outside the family. "We are delighted to be launching our rebranding with the board, partners and users of the land mobility service here in Tullamore," service manager, Brady said. "If you're looking for a service as a young farmer or landowner to explore opportunities in the agricultural sector regarding land, then reach out to any member of our staff, as we are here to help both parties," Brady added. Separately, Macra president, Josephine O'Neill has said that generational renewal must become a key issue for the government. At last year's Tullamore Show (2024), Macra welcomed the establishment of the commission on generational renewal. The young farmer's organisation said that the commission "brought hope" that the government was "finally" recognising the importance of the issue, and taking the initial steps towards supporting a future for them.
RTÉ News
3 days ago
- Automotive
- RTÉ News
Thousands expected to descend upon Tullamore Show
Thousands of people are expected to attend the Tullamore Show today, the biggest one-day agricultural event in the country. The event is taking place on the outskirts of Tullamore, at the Butterfield Estate in Blueball and will be officially opened by the Tánaiste Simon Harris this afternoon. Organisers says that the show has surpassed all expectations and the number of entries to the event's competitions across the various sections have exceeded 5,000. The national livestock show is a chance to display pedigree cattle considered to be amongst the best in Europe as well as the very best in horses, poultry and farm produce. This year's show sees the return of the Sustainable Livestock Village, which will be powered by Hydrogen, the first for any show or event in Ireland, according to organisers. This year, there will be a strong emphasis placed on the role of young farmers in delivering sustainable change, with Macra joining the village for the first time to highlight generational renewal and youth-led innovation. Although considered a mainly livestock event, the machinery exhibition at the Tullamore Show has grown in recent years and organisers say the machinery listing has increased significantly this year. Farm safety event to be held at show There will also be a Farm Safety Live event which has been developed by FRS Co-Op, the Health and Safety Authority and FBD Insurance, in conjunction with the Tullamore Show. The display will emphasise the importance of safety around farm vehicles, equipment and livestock with a particular focus this year around chainsaw safety. It follows a notable increase in requests for chainsaw training following the severe storm damage caused by Storm Éowyn earlier this year. Experts will also provide hands-on demonstrations focusing on tractor driving and power take off safety, the safe use of quads and ATVs, and proper livestock handling. The show is taking place against a backdrop of proposed CAP reforms which were announced by the EU Commission last month and there is expected to be discussion around that at the show. Gardaí have issued a traffic management plan ahead of the show with the main N52 closed to through traffic on the day of the event, from the junction at Mucklagh to Blueball. There are alternative routes for traffic not attending the event. There will be four large car parks in operation across 240 acres and dedicated routes have been selected leading directly to the car parks. Over 50,000 people attended the event last year.
Agriland
7 days ago
- Business
- Agriland
Tullamore Show: Competition entries exceed 5,000
The organisers of the Tullamore Show and FBD National Livestock Show have said that entries to the event's competitions across the various sections have now exceeded 5,000. The Tullamore Show said that it has "surpassed all expectations" with the number of entries so far. "Entry numbers for all competitions are exploding as are the number of trade stands. With extra space allocated in the trade stand area, there is still a waiting list of eager companies to showcase their business and wares," organisers said. "Competition entry numbers have way exceeded the 5,000 mark, showcasing the very best in livestock; horses; poultry; farm produce; cakes; art and photography; and crafts and horticulture." Entries to the Tullamore Show for certain sections will be accepted until August 1, and will also be accepted on show day. These sections are: Cookery; Crafts; Art and photography; Horticulture; Horses; Dogs; Fashion. The closing date for other sections was last Wednesday (July 9), which was an extended closing date due to "high demand" on the show's website. This year's event takes place on Sunday, August 10, with the organisers saying it "will certainly be the place to be, whether as an exhibitor, trade exhibitor or spectator". "The 2025 show has all the hallmarks of being the best show yet. All we want now is the weather and the Child of Prague will certainly be out. Work is in full swing to prepare the site and the trade stand area is being marked out already," Tullamore Show said. The show's chairperson John Keena and secretary Chelsey Cox McDonald are said to be "working tirelessly" with the show's executive committee and volunteers to plan the show. This year's show will see the return of the Sustainable Livestock Village. This year, there will be a strong emphasis placed on the role of young farmers in delivering sustainable change, with Macra joining the village for the first time to highlight generational renewal and youth-led innovation. The admission fee for this year's Tullamore Show is €25 at the gate and €20 by online advance purchase, with free admission for children under 12.
Agriland
04-08-2025
- Business
- Agriland
Macra sets out stance on CAP payments for pensioner farmers
Macra has called for "mandatory" farm succession plans for farmers over 63 and "transition payments" for farmers from 67-70 years-of-age. Responding to a query from Agriland on Macra's stance on support payments to farmers in receipt of a pension, Macra national president Josephine O'Neill outlined the rural youth organisation's position. She said: "We need to examine this in the context of creating opportunities to facilitate generational renewal and collaborative arrangements between younger and older farmers plus the reality of a reduced Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) budget. Last month, the European Commission presented its Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) - the EU's long-term budget - which proposed to end farm support payments for farmers once they reach pension age. The Macra leader told Agriland that the rural youth organisation previously proposed a mechanism to the EU Commission for this current CAP programme (2023-2027), which aimed "to encourage succession planning among older farmers". The Macra proposal involves a farm-succession model, which aims to accommodate the needs of older farmers and improve access to land for young farmers. The key aspects of Macra's CAP policy proposal to improve generational renewal include: Once a farmer reaches the age of 63, it becomes mandatory to complete a farm succession plan; At the age of 65, farmers avail of a transition payment up to the age of 70; A farmer that wishes to continue to receive CAP supports beyond the age of 70 would need to get involved in a collaborative arrangement. The Macra president said: "The proposal includes upon reaching 63, it becomes mandatory for all farmers to complete a farm succession plan. "From the age of 65-70, farmers will receive a transition payment in order to both facilitate and support their exit from the industry. "For farmers that wish to continue to receive a CAP payment beyond the age of 70, such a farmer would need to get involved in a collaborative arrangement." The Macra president has told Agriland that Macra will be further discussing the recent EU Commission CAP proposals and examining the range of potential tools available from the Commission to tackle generational renewal. "All options need to be seriously examined so that we can address the lack of young people entering farming," O'Neill said.
